Wednesday, September 5, 2018

Falling in Love: Author Jo Noelle





Secondhand Hearts by Jo Noelle

As a member of a top country-western band, Chase has the money and fame he's always wanted. When he meets the beautiful woman who owns Treasure Mountain Pawn, he has to hide both of those things from the one person he wants to know everything about him.

When Elena sees Chase for the first time, his turquoise eyes and tousled brown hair convince her that she might believe in insta-love. Just in time, her brain takes over, reminding her that her business is in trouble, making her future uncertain—not a good time for love.

But being with Chase is as easy as following her heart, until she finds he has a secret big enough to break it.





Elena looked around the business her dad had built—a thirty-six-hundred-square-foot legacy with iron bars on the windows called Treasure Mountain Pawn, that had passed on to her.

“Elena, I got ya something I think ya need.” Tug walked toward the back of the store.

“We agreed. No presents,” she called over her shoulder, but he continued toward the storage room as if he hadn’t heard her. Something I need? I need a huge inheritance from a long-lost relative. Or a millionaire business partner. Or to win a lottery as soon as possible.

The bell on the front door jingled again, drawing Elena out of her wishes. Tug had turned the sign to “Closed” when Lucas left, but apparently, he’d forgotten to lock it. Glancing up, she found herself looking into turquoise eyes. Not blue, not green, but somehow both. His brown hair was perfectly tousled, and there was a shadow across his jaw, not like he forgot to comb or shave, but like he knew he rocked that look—complete with rolling a guitar pick between his fingers. His sleeves were pushed up, revealing muscular arms ribbed with veins. He walked toward her in a black button up—tight across his broad shoulders and obviously muscular chest, and then tucked into slim blue jeans behind a large belt buckle. He wore western boots, expensive but not flashy. She couldn’t help taking him in. Oh, my gosh! She could hardly breathe. Everything she found attractive in a man was wrapped up in one neat package.

 



 



Author Jo Noelle

Jo Noelle is a Colorado native but lived in several mountain states--Idaho, Utah, and California. She has two adult children and three small kids.

She teaches teachers and students about reading and writing, grows freakishly large tomatoes, enjoys cooking (especially desserts,) builds furniture, sews beautiful dresses, and likes to go hiking in the nearby mountains.

Oh, and by the way, she's two people--a mother/daughter writing team. We write dessert romances--satisfyingly sweet, and you'll want more.




 



Giveaway Details

$25 Amazon Gift Card or $25 in Paypal Cash

Ends 10/1/18

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use money sent via Paypal or gift codes via Amazon.com. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. This giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.


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Tuesday, September 4, 2018

A Cowboy's Pride by Karen Rock {Blog Tour Review and Giveaway}

On Tour with Prism Book Tours


A Cowboy's Pride
(Rocky Mountain Cowboys #4)

by Karen Rock

Contemporary Romance
Paperback & ebook, 384 pages

September 1st 2018 by Harlequin Heartwarming


Old wounds run deep


Only the truth can heal them…


Rancher Cole Loveland has no interest in dredging up the past, but his ex-fiancĂ©e, Katlynn Brennon, has other plans. To save her struggling TV show, she’s come back to Colorado to investigate the infamous Cade-Loveland feud. Trusting Katlynn again isn’t easy—she’s already chosen her career over Cole once. But he’s beginning to realize that true love, like legends, never dies.




My Review: 5 Stars

This meaty story is more than just second chance romance involving a cowboy and a celebrity. This story also takes on an age-old mystery that is at the root of one of the biggest family feuds of all time. The Cade-Loveland feud is what brings Katlynn (Katie-Lynn) back to her hometown and thrusts her into the path of her former love, Cole.

I was so excited for this mystery to finally be uncovered. I've been reading this series from the beginning and the feud and mystery has gradually built up over the course of it. I've grown to love each of these families and their gruff, hermit-like members.

This love story has plenty of electrical moments, but the characters different wants and needs take the romance on a long, hard journey. The writing style carried me away, as it was so vivid and descriptive. The plot, the chemistry, the swoony kisses, the mystery, and the characters make this read very enjoyable!

Content: mild, swoony romance; mild violence


Other Books in the Series



About the Author


Award-winning author Karen Rock is both sweet and spicy—at least when it comes to her writing! The author of both YA and adult contemporary books writes sexy suspense novels and small-town romances for Harlequin and Kensington publishing. A strong believer in Happily-Ever-After, Karen loves creating unforgettable stories that leave her readers with a smile. When she’s not writing, Karen is an avid reader who also loves cooking her grandmother’s Italian recipes, baking and having the Adirondack Park wilderness as her backyard, where she lives with her husband, daughter, dog and cat who keep her life interesting and complete. Learn more about her at http://www.karenrock.com or follow her on twitter at http://www.twitter.com/karenrock5.


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Falling in Love: Author Julie Wright





Lies Jane Austen Told Me by Julie Wright

Ever since Emma read Pride and Prejudice, she's been in love with Mr. Darcy and has regarded Jane Austen as the expert on all things romantic. So naturally when Emma falls for Blake Hampton and he invites her home to meet his parents, she is positive an engagement is in her future. After all, Blake is a single man in possession of a good fortune, and thus must be in want of a wife.

But when it turns out that what Blake actually wants is more of a hook-up than a honeymoon, Emma is hurt, betrayed, and furious. She throws herself deeper into her work as CMO of Kinetics, the fastest growing gym franchise in the nation. She loves her work, and she's good at it, which is why she bristles when her boss brings in a consultant to help her spearhead the new facilities on the East Coast. Her frustration turns to shock when that consultant turns out to be Blake's younger brother, Lucas.

Emma is determined not to fall for Lucas, but as she gets to know him, she realizes that Lucas is nothing like his brother. He is kind and attentive and spends his time and money caring for the less fortunate.

What she can't understand is why Lucas continues to try to push her back into Blake's arms when he so clearly has fallen as hard for her as she has fallen for him.

Realizing that her love life is as complicated as anything Jane Austen could have dreamed up, Emma must find a way to let Blake know that it's time for him to let her go and to let Lucas know it's time for him to love her back.









"Wright does contemporary romance right in this diverting novel with just enough heft."-Publishers Weekly

"Employing her own deliciously dry sense of wit, Wright deftly pays homage to the inherent romantic wisdom found in Austen's classic novels in this delightfully fun and refreshingly sweet contemporary romance."-Booklist

"Modern, clever, and funny, Wright's novel is a smart remix of tropes from Austen's work. Lies Jane Austen Told Me is a satisfying and sweet contemporary romance that knits together romantic classics with modern manners."-Foreword Reviews









Author Julie Wright

Julie Wright (1972-still breathing) was born in Salt Lake City, Utah. She's lived in LA, Boston, and the literal middle of nowhere (don't ask). She wrote her first book when she was fifteen. Since then, she's written twenty three novels and coauthored three. Julie is a two-time winner of the Whitney award for best romance with her books "Cross My Heart" and "Lies Jane Austen Told Me" and has also won the Crown Heart award. Her book "Death Thieves" was a Whitney finalist for 2016. She is agented by Sara Crowe.

She has one husband, three kids, two salamanders, one dog, and a varying amount of fish (depending on attrition).

She loves writing, reading, traveling, hiking, playing with her kids, and watching her husband make dinner.







Giveaway Details

Ends 10/1/18

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use money sent via Paypal or gift codes via Amazon.com. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. This giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.


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Monday, September 3, 2018

Promises and Primroses (Mayfield Family Series) by Josi S. Kilpack {Review}


https://amzn.to/2CaUVkJ

Promises and Primroses (Mayfield Family Series)
by Josi S. Kilpack

Paperback, 336 pages
Expected publication: September 4th 2018 by Shadow Mountain 
Source: I received a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.
 https://amzn.to/2CaUVkJ   https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/38792380-promises-and-primroses?ac=1&from_search=true
Lord Elliott Mayfield aims to correct the very messy marital mistakes and spousal scandals of his brothers and sisters by requiring his nieces and nephews to choose worthy companions.  If they choose wisely, they will receive their generous share of the family’s inheritance.

Peter, Elliott’s eldest nephew, thinks the entire idea is ridiculous. A widower with two young daughters, he simply needs a governess, not a wife. Julia Hollingsworth certainly has the credentials and the experience, but is altogether too young and pretty for such a job. So why can’t he stop thinking about her?

Julia loves working as a governess, despite the objections of her mother, Amelia. And as it turns out, Amelia has a lot to say about the Mayfield men—none of it good. But Julia dismisses the rumors of ruined reputations and instead concentrates on helping Peter with his children and his fledgling business in canine husbandry. His kindness and gentleness is endearing—and increasingly attractive.

But Amelia, whose heart was broken thirty years ago by none other than Elliott Mayfield, is determined to prevent any relationship from blooming either between Peter and Julia—or between herself and Elliott.

Hearts and history collide as both couples must face their pasts and decide if risking it all is worth the promise of new love and a new future.
My Review: 5 Stars
The Regency books this author has been writing lately are so unique and fun! The very beginning of the book has a family tree and I loved studying that to try and get a feel for who the characters were before I began reading it, but I was kind of surprised that not many of those said people even made an appearance in the story. I'm definitely going to be watching for more in this series because I'm really curious now.
This particular installment focuses on Peter and his never-married uncle, Elliot. Peter needs a governess and finds one in Julia, but her mother, Amelia, has a connection to Elliot and disapproves of this position. Have I confused anyone yet? I promise, the story makes sense and is written in a very clean way, while showing four different points-of-view. This is such a satisfyingly sweet and cozy story that brought out all the feel-good feelings.
Julia doesn't need employment, but thrives in her work, especially as she comes to care for and teach Peter's two young daughters and assists in the dog breeding hobby on the estate. Those two things really set this story apart, adding interesting dimensions to the plot, to go along with the vivid characters. And those characters are what blow these books away--they are so dimensional and written so well. I've been reading books by this author since her early days of writing and I'm beyond impressed at how much she's grown and developed as a writer, which is apparent by the quality of her books.  
Content: mild romance